In the end the Pahukoa sisters decided to stay together.
Brooke and Brittney Pahukoa, who are entering their senior season at Lake Stevens High School, have decided to continue their basketball careers at Boise State University. The twin sisters visited the college last week, and knew almost immediately that it was the school for them.
“As soon as we visited we pretty much knew right away it was a perfect fit,” said Brooke, The Herald’s All-Area Player of the Year last season as a junior. She then sent a text to Vikings’ coach Randall Edens letting him know, “I think this might be the place.”
The Pahukoas picked the Broncos over other programs such as Hawaii, Idaho, Seattle University, Eastern Washington, Colorado, Idaho State, San Diego and Santa Clara.
“I’m ecstatic,” said Brittney, a second team all-Wesco selection last season.
At the start of the recruiting process Brooke and Brittney hoped to play together in college. After a while, they decided that they should each go where they wanted most, and if that was the same place, they would play together.
In the end, that’s exactly what happened.
“We both picked our top school that we wanted to go to and then talked to parents,” Brooke said. “Then we got together and were like, ‘what school did you pick?’ ‘Boise.’ ‘Me too!’ It worked out. I don’t think I could have gone to school without her.”
Brittney felt the same way.
“Being twins and spending all our time together, I really can’t imagine going to a different school than her,” she said.
Coach Gordy Presnell immediately made the Pahukoas feel comfortable. The sisters also have grandparents that live about 20 minutes from the university. That, the “best facilities (Brooke) has ever seen” and the college atmosphere made Boise State standout.
“Just the atmosphere was the biggest thing,” Brooke said. “You could tell the college was everything.”
Brittney was fairly certain after the visit that she wanted to become a Bronco, but held off on committing until she got home and could do a little more research. Once she completed that, Brittney felt very confident in her decision.
“Really every aspect of the school kind of drew me in,” Brittney said. “This is it. I know I want to go here.”
The sisters wanted to decide which college to attend as soon as possible. With few scholarship slots available, they wanted to make sure they got their top choice. Now that it’s all figured out, they can enjoy their final year at Lake Stevens.
“We did want to decide as soon as we could,” Brooke said. “…Now I’m just excited to enjoy senior year and my last season with the team. I’m still a Viking so I’m going to have fun and concentrate on that team. (College) feels like a long time away.”
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